An Ysgol Llanhari pupil has been named a top computer user in the Rhondda Cynon Taf Microsoft Office 2013 Championship.

Llewellyn Lloyd, 13, is the winner of the “Kick Off” Round of the championships which is an exclusive competition for the county borough’s secondary schools that tests students’ skills in a range of Microsoft Office 2013 applications.

A group of pupils took part in the ‘Kick Off’ Round of the championships under the direction of the school’s Subject Leader for IT Paul Greene and sat a Microsoft Office Specialist Propionic 2013 exam.

With a number of pupils successfully completing and passing this challenging exam, they were entered into a prize draw to kick-off their summer in style – and Llewellyn came out a winner.

As a reward for his achievements, he was presented with an Xbox One + Kinect with FIFA 14.

Head teacher Meirion Stephens said: “Ysgol Llanhari has been delighted to participate in the Microsoft IT Academy and our pupils and staff have certainly benefited from this experience which has developed their skills in all manner of IT programs and applications.

“Particular congratulations to Llewellyn who has been named the winner of the ‘Kick Off’ round of the championships and to all those who participated. We look forward to further success in the future.”

The competition offers an opportunity for students to undertake Word, PowerPoint or Excel e-learning training independently, participate in projects to underpin their development and demonstrate their newly acquired skills in a range of Microsoft Office 2013 programs.

The RCT Office 2013 Championship will continue to October half term, with the culmination of the ‘Finals League Table’.

The top 30 students will be invited to represent their school in the RCT Microsoft Office 2013 Championship Finals Day, to be held on Tuesday, November 4, at Microsoft in Reading.

Llewellyn could well be included in this elite group of RCT students.

Councillor Eudine Hanagan, cabinet member for education, skills and lifelong learning said: “A comprehensive knowledge of IT programmes and packages is an essential part of any child’s education in the modern age.

“It is important that as technology develops, so does the information presented to our school pupils to help ensure they’re fully versed in all aspects which will become so essential when finding long term employment in the future.”

Ysgol Llanhari has been one of the pilot Microsoft IT Academies since September 2013, with a number of staff and pupils successfully completing the MOS programme and also staff attaining the Microsoft Certified Educator certification.

The Microsoft IT Academy Programme offers educational establishments extensive benefits and the opportunity to deliver Microsoft’s popular I.T. training and qualifications to their pupils, staff and wider community.